The barge (above) used by Global Diving and Salvage, the salvage company hired by Foss Maritime, will be in Kentucky Lake near the Eggner Ferry Bridge until mid-December in all likelihood. Crews plan on salvaging as much of the debris from the 322-foot span that was knocked out by the M/V Delta Mariner on Jan. 26 as possible.

Due to some days of inclement weather, salvage crew, who are picking up debris from the Eggner Ferry Bridge, are now estimated to be finished by mid-December instead of by the end of this month.

That is what Lieutenant Jason Franz of the U.S. Coast Guard in Paducah said earlier this week. However, they are roughly 70 percent finished and still plan on leaving as little debris – mostly steel and concrete – at the bottom of the lake as possible and still plan on recycling as much of the debris as is possible, he said.

The salvage work entails cranes and flat barges, and diving operations if they are necessary, said Franz, who estimated that there is about 1 million pounds of steel still under and around the bridge, which re-opened a couple of days before Memorial Day.

Crews with Global Diving and Salvage, a contractor hired by Foss Maritime, will clear most but not all of the debris, Franz said. Suzanne Lagoni, media contact for Foss Maritime, confirmed that they hired the crews and that the salvage work.

The debris will be sent to Bailey Port once the salvaging operation is complete, Franz said.

For the rest of this story, see this week's issue of The Cadiz Record or subscribe to our e-Edition by calling 270-522-6605.